Former fire chief facing at least a year in prison after sentencing

Local
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9/30/2013 6:35 PM
by Joe Hellriegel

FAYETTEVILLE - A former chief of a Fayette County volunteer fire department is facing at least a year in prison after his sentencing today in court.

Timothy Whittington was sentenced to 1-to-10 years in prison by Judge Paul Blake, Jr. for using the Smithers Volunteer Fire Department's account as his own personal bank account, stealing as much as $7,500 over a two-year period. The money was used for a monthly car bill, car insurance payments and a home water bill. Probation was denied by Judge Blake and Fayette County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Roger Lambert tells Newswatch the reason for that decision.

"The fact is as the judge made very clear in the bench when a public official takes public funds money from the tax payers from the state of West Virginia we take that very seriously the message had to be sent that paying the money back that didn't absolve him of what he had done," said Lambert.